Volunteer Fundraising Research Volunteer

What will you be doing?

Seek to understand Island House’s history, current projects and future strategy from briefing papers and time with the Centre Director. Research funding opportunities from databases and other sources. Identify those funding sources which seem to have a reasonable chance of success. Pass details and comments to the Centre Director.

What are we looking for?

Available to work for at least 2 hours per week for six months, remotely or at Island House. Self-motivated with good time-management skills and able to work remotely. Ability to quickly read and digest large amounts of written information. Excellent computer skills. Experience of web-based research or fundraising.

What difference will you make?

Our Centre Director is an accomplished bid writer and has a high success rate on applications submitted. By identifying more funding opportunities for him to apply for, you will directly enable us to increase our funding, diversify our income and further develop our support for our local community. For over 50 years Island House has been a trusted community hub based on the Isle of Dogs in Tower Hamlets providing facilities and services for our partner tenants (Island Advice Centre and Quaystone Church), local residents and other user groups.

Tower Hamlets is the tenth most deprived local authority in England and has the highest levels of pensioner poverty and child poverty in England. An estimated 40% of households are living below the poverty line, and the employment rate of residents is below the national average (Tower Hamlets Plan 2019-2023).

We aim to address the emotional, physical, social, and spiritual needs of those of all faiths and none, seeking to identify gaps in service provision and make partnerships to extend our impact and build a strong, healthy community. Roughly 300 people used the centre every week before the pandemic and numbers are increasing again as we seek to address loneliness and disadvantage, effectively improving the lives and prospects of our beneficiaries. Our work is especially valuable during the current cost-of-living crisis, which is the top priority in Tower Hamlets’ current Strategic Plan. Our mission is to support the wellbeing of our local people, especially the disadvantaged and marginalised, and equipping them to live healthy and fulfilling lives within a vibrant and thriving local community.